Backpack and conversion kit particularly useful for children&#39;s school bags

ABSTRACT

A backpack including a knapsack for holding a load, and a pair of shoulder harnesses for mounting the knapsack onto the shoulders and back of a wearer, characterized in that the backpack includes an inflatable bag attached to the knapsack on the side thereof to engage the back of the wearer, which bag is inflatable to cushion the load applied to the wearer&#39;s back and to adjust the backpack for the size of the wearer. The backpack further includes second and third inflatable bags, one for each shoulder harness, and attached to the respective shoulder harness on the side thereof to engage a shoulder of the wearer, the second and third inflatable bags being inflatable to cushion the load applied to the wearer&#39;s shoulders and to adjust the backpack to the size of the wearer. Also described is a conversion kit for converting an existing knapsack to a backpack having the above-described advantages.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/650,145, filed on Feb. 7, 2005, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to backpacks commonly worn by persons tofacilitate carrying a load. The invention is particularly useful as abackpack for school children to enable them to carry their school booksin a more comfortable manner, and is therefore described belowparticularly with respect to that application. The present inventionalso relates to a conversion kit particularly useful for convertingexisting knapsacks to backpacks having the above advantage, as will bedescribed more particularly below.

School children frequently carry their books to and from school inknapsacks strapped to their backs. Such school books generally involve aconsiderable load, and therefore this method of carrying books on achild's back is not only uncomfortable for the school child, but canalso damage the bone structure of a school child particularly in youngerschool children. In addition, since children grow in size relativelyrapidly, a knapsack which may have been suited for a child of aparticular size, may quickly become unsuited for the child as the childgrows in size, thereby aggravating not only the discomfort to the child,but also the possibility of damaging the bone structure of the child.

Many kinds of orthopedic backpacks and wheeled carriages have beendeveloped to avoid this problem. However, such orthopedic backpacks andwheeled carriages are generally relatively expensive, and are thereforenot widely used. Moreover, orthopedic backpacks may be suitable for aparticular size and shape of a person's back, but their suitabilityquickly diminishes as the wearer's back changes in size and shape.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a backpack particularlyuseful for school children having advantages in the above respects.Another object of the invention is to provide a backpack which can bemore conveniently worn by a school child, and which can be convenientlyadjusted to the size and shape of the wearer's back. A further object ofthe present invention is to provide a conversion kit which enablesexisting knapsacks to be easily converted to backpacks having the aboveadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided abackpack including a knapsack for holding a load, and a pair of shoulderharnesses for mounting the knapsack onto the shoulders and back of awearer, characterized in that the backpack includes an inflatable bagattached to the knapsack on the side thereof to engage the back of thewearer, which bag is inflatable to cushion the load applied to thewearer's back and to adjust the backpack for the size and shape of thewearer's back.

According to further features in the described preferred embodiment, thebackpack further includes second and third inflatable bags, one for eachshoulder harness and attached to the respective shoulder harness on theside thereof to engage a shoulder of the wearer, the second and thirdinflatable bags also being inflatable to cushion the load applied to thewearer's shoulders and to adjust the backpack to the size and shape ofthe wearer's shoulders.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiment, the backpack further includes a hand pump manually operableby the wearer for inflating and deflating the bag.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda conversion kit for converting a knapsack having a pair of shoulderharnesses to a backpack for comfortable wearing by a wearer andconvenient fitting to the wearer's size, the conversion kit comprisingan inflatable bag constructed and configured for attachment to theknapsack on the side thereof to engage the wearer's back, the bag beinginflatable to cushion the load applied by the knapsack to the wearer'sback, and to adjust the backpack for the size and shape of the wearer'sback. Preferably, such a conversion kit further includes second andthird inflatable bags, each constructed and configured for attachment toa shoulder harness on a side thereof to engage a shoulder of the wearer,the second and third inflatable bags being inflatable to cushion theload applied to the wearer's shoulders and to adjust the backpack forthe size and shape of the wearer's shoulders.

As will be described more particularly below, backpacks may beconstructed in accordance with the foregoing features of the presentinvention, or existing knapsacks may be conveniently converted tobackpacks, enabling a more comfortable carrying of the load (e.g.,school books) by the wearer, and also a more comfortable fitting of thebackpack to the particular size and shape of the wearer's back andshoulders.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one form of backpack constructed in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a conversion kit which may be suppliedfor converting an existing knapsack to one having the advantages of thebackpack of FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the descriptionbelow, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understandingthe conceptual aspects of the invention and possible embodimentsthereof, including what is presently considered to be a preferredembodiment. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is madeto provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art,using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the describedinvention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments describedare for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable ofbeing embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The backpack illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a knapsack 10 of aconventional construction for holding a load, such a plurality of schoolbooks, and having a pair of shoulder harnesses 20, 30, for mounting theknapsack 10 onto the shoulders and back of a wearer.

Knapsack 10 may be made of any suitable material, such cloth or plastic.It is formed with a plurality of pockets 10 a, each closable by azipper-type fastener 10 b, to define a plurality of compartments forcarrying the books or other articles to be held by the knapsack.Knapsack 10 is further formed with a handle 10 c to facilitatehand-gripping, and with a flat back 10 b or under-face engageable withthe back of the wearer when mounted by means of the shoulder harnesses20 and 30.

The two shoulder harnesses 20, 30 are of a similar construction. Eachincludes a soft or padded section 20 a, 20 b, which is to be appliedover the shoulders of the wearer, and an adjustable section 20 b, 30 badjustable by clasps 20 c, 30 c to the size of the wearer.

Such knapsacks, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are well known and inwidespread use, and therefore further details of its construction andmanner of use are not set forth herein.

According to the present invention, knapsack 10 is provided one or more,and preferably three, inflatable bags, shown in FIG. 1 at 11, 21 and 31,respectively, attached to the knapsack 10 and to the two shoulderharnesses 20, 30, respectively. Bags 11, 21 and 31 are inflatable by thewearer to cushion the load applied by the knapsack to the wearer, andalso to firmly adjust the backpack for the size and shape of thewearer's back and shoulders.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, inflatable bag 11 is attached to the flat backor under-face 10 d of knapsack 10 so as to engage the back of the wearerand thereby to cushion the load applied by the knapsack to the wearer'sback. Inflatable bag 11 is attached to knapsack 10 by a pair of straps,one of which is shown at 12, each having one end secured to theinflatable bag, and the opposite end carrying a hook-and-loop fastener,(e.g. “Velcro” fasteners, as will be described below with respect toinflatable bags 21, 31) for securing the opposite ends of the strapstogether with the straps enclosing the knapsack, as shown in FIG. 1.

Inflatable bags 21, 31 are applied in a similar manner to theirrespective shoulder harnesses 20, 30. In this case and as shown in FIG.1, inflatable bag 21 includes two pairs of straps 22, 23, with each pairincluding two straps each having one end secured to bag 21, and theopposite end carrying a hook-and-loop fastener, as shown at 22 a, 23 a,for securing the two ends together while the straps enclose section 20 aof shoulder harness 20. Similarly, inflatable bag 31 also includes apair of straps 32, 33, each pair including a strap secured at one end tobag 31, and the opposite end carrying a hook-and-loop fastener 32 a, 33a, for securing the two ends together while the straps enclose section30 a of shoulder harness 30.

When the three inflatable bags 11, 21 and 31 are applied to knapsack 10and the two shoulder harnesses 20, 30, respectively, in the mannerdescribed above, they are inflatable by a hand pump 40. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1, hand pump 40 is connected, via tubes 41, 42 and43, to bags 11, 21 and 31, respectively, such that the one hand pump maybe used for inflating all three bags. Hand pump 40 further includes acontrol valve, in the form of a depressible button 44, which isactuatable to either a closed position to enable the hand pump toinflate the bags 11, 21, 31, or to an open position to vent the pump tothe atmosphere for deflating the bags. The control valve is normally ina closed position so that squeezing the hand pump 40 will effectivelyinflate the three bags, but may be actuated to an open position bydepressing control button 44.

The manner of using the illustrated backpack will be apparent from theabove description. Thus, the three inflatable bags 11, 21 and 31,including the hand pump 40 and its connections to the bags, may beconveniently applied to virtually any type of knapsack in the mannerdescribed above. When so applied, inflatable bag 11 cushions the loadapplied by the knapsack to the back of the wearer, whereas inflatablebags 21 and 31 cushion the load applied by the shoulder harnesses 20,30, to the shoulders of the wearer. In addition, if the shoulderharnesses have not been properly adjusted for the size of the respectivewearer, this adjustment will also be automatically effected by theinflation of the bags 11, 21 and 31. Accordingly, the inflatable bags11, 21, 31 are effective to substantially cushion the load forcesapplied by the knapsack to the back and shoulders of the wearer and tomore comfortabely fit the backpack to the size and shape of the wearer,thereby not only enabling the wearer to carry the knapsack morecomfortably, but also reducing the possibility of damaging the bonestructure of the wearer particularly in the case of younger schoolchildren carrying substantial book loads.

It will be appreciated that the three inflatable bags 11, 21, 31,including the hand pump 40 and its connections to the three bags, can besupplied with the knapsack 10 when purchased. However, the threeinflatable bags including the pump 40 can also be supplied in the formof a conversion kit to be applied to an existing knapsack 10 in order toprovide the advantages of the invention as discussed above.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modification particularly applicable when the threeinflatable bags 11, 21 and 31, are supplied in the form of a conversionkit to be attached by the user to an existing knapsack. In themodification illustrated in FIG. 2, a separate hand pump, thereindesignated 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, respectively, is supplied for each of thethree inflatable bags 11, 21, 31, to permit each bag to be separatelyapplied to the knapsack 10 and shoulder harnesses 20 and 30,respectively, and to be independently inflated and deflated if desired.In all other respects, the conversion kit illustrated in FIG. 2 isconstructed and used in the same manner as described above with respectto FIG. 1.

While the invention has been described with respect to two preferredembodiments, it will be appreciated that many other variations,modifications and applications of the invention may be made.

1. A backpack including a knapsack for holding a load, and a pair ofshoulder harnesses for mounting the knapsack onto the shoulders and backof a wearer, characterized in that said backpack includes an inflatablebag attached to said knapsack on the side thereof to engage the back ofthe wearer, which bag is inflatable to cushion the load applied to thewearer's back and to adjust the backpack for the size and shape of thewearer's back.
 2. The backpack according to claim 1, wherein saidinflatable bag includes at least one strap for attaching the inflatablebag to the knapsack.
 3. The backpack according to claim 2, wherein saidinflatable bag includes at least one pair of straps each strap beingattached at one end to the inflatable bag, and carrying at its oppositeend a hook-and-loop fastener for securing the opposite ends of thestraps together with the straps enclosing the knapsack.
 4. The backpackaccording to claim 1, wherein said backpack further includes second andthird inflatable bags, one for each shoulder harness and attached to therespective shoulder harness on the side thereof to engage a shoulder ofthe wearer, said second and third inflatable bags being inflatable tocushion the load applied to the wearer's shoulders and to adjust thebackpack to the size and shape of the wearer's shoulders.
 5. Thebackpack according to claim 4, wherein each of said second and thirdinflatable bags is attached to its respective shoulder by at least onestrap.
 6. The backpack according to claim 5, wherein each of said secondand third inflatable bags includes at least one pair of straps, eachstrap being attached at one end to the respective inflatable bag andcarrying at its opposite end a hook-and-loop fastener for securing theopposite ends of the straps together with the straps enclosing therespective shoulder harness.
 7. The backpack according to claim 1,wherein said backpack further includes a hand pump manually operable bythe wearer for inflating said inflatable bag.
 8. The backpack accordingto claim 7, wherein said hand pump includes an air tube communicatingwith its respective inflatable bag for inflating same, and a controlvalve which is actuatable to a closed condition when the hand pump is tobe used for inflating the bag, or to an open position to vent the pumpto the atmosphere for deflating the bag.
 9. The backpack according toclaim 7, wherein said backpack further includes second and thirdinflatable bags, one for each shoulder harness and attached to therespective shoulder harness on the side thereof to engage a shoulder ofthe wearer, said second and third inflatable bags being inflatable tocushion the load applied to the wearer's shoulders and to adjust thebackpack to the size and shape of the wearer's shoulders.
 10. Thebackpack according to claim 9, wherein said backpack includes a separatehand pump for each inflatable bag and connected by a tube to itsrespective bag, each of said hand pumps including a control valve whichis actuatable to a closed condition when the hand pump is to be used forinflating the respective bag, or to an open position to vent the pump tothe atmosphere for deflating the respective bag.
 11. A conversion kitfor converting a knapsack having a pair of shoulder harnesses to abackpack for comfortable wearing by a wearer and convenient fitting tothe wearer's size, said conversion kit comprising an inflatable bagconstructed and configured for attachment to the knapsack on the sidethereof to engage the wearer's back, said bag being inflatable tocushion the load applied by the knapsack to the wearer's back and toadjust the backpack for the size and shape of the wearer's back.
 12. Theconversion kit according to claim 11, wherein said inflatable bagincludes at least one strap for attaching the inflatable bag to theknapsack.
 13. The conversion kit according to claim 12, wherein saidinflatable bag includes a pair of straps, each attached at one end tothe inflatable bag, and carrying at its opposite end a hook-and-loopfastener for securing the opposite ends of the pair of straps togetherwith the straps enclosing the knapsack.
 14. The conversion kit accordingto claim 11, wherein said conversion kit further comprises second andthird inflatable bags, each constructed and configured for attachment toa shoulder harness on a side thereof to engage a shoulder of the wearer,said second and third inflatable bags being inflatable to cushion theload applied to the wearer's shoulders and to adjust the backpack forthe size of the wearer.
 15. The conversion kit according to claim 14,wherein each of said inflatable bags is attached to its respectiveknapsack and shoulder harness by at least one pair of straps.
 16. Theconversion kit according to claim 15, wherein each strap of each of saidpair of straps is attached at one end to the respective inflatable bagand carries at its opposite end a hook-and-loop fastener for securingthe opposite ends of the straps together while the strap encloses therespective knapsack or shoulder harness.
 17. The conversion kitaccording to claim 11, wherein said conversion kit further includes ahand pump manually operable by the wearer for inflating said inflatablebag.
 18. The conversion kit according to claim 17, wherein said handpump includes an air tube communicating with said inflatable bag forinflating same, and a control valve which is actuatable to a closedcondition when the hand pump is to be used for inflating the bag, or toan open position to vent the pump to the atmosphere for deflating thebag.
 19. The conversion kit according to claim 18, wherein saidconversion kit further includes second and third inflatable bags, onefor each shoulder harness and attached to the respective shoulderharness on the side thereof to engage a shoulder of the wearer, saidsecond and third inflatable bags being inflatable to cushion the loadapplied to the wearer's shoulders and to adjust the backpack to the sizeand shape of the wearer's shoulders.
 20. The conversion kit according toclaim 19, wherein said conversion kit includes a separate hand pump foreach inflatable bag and connected by a tube to its respective bag, eachof said hand pumps including a control valve which is actuatable to aclosed condition when the hand pump is to be used for inflating therespective bag, or to an open position to vent the pump to theatmosphere for deflating the respective bag.